1/19/11

Working with some of my favorite shop owners in the lovely Palma Ceia area of South Tampa, I've put together a list of the best – from interiors and antiques, to new home furnishings, accessories and fashions – in the new Insider's Guide To Shopping & Dining. Click to open the brochure and you'll find maps, short descriptives for each shop and restaurant, with locations and contact information – plus a direct link to their websites. Once you sign up on the Issuu site, you can also download a pdf and print it for a take-along. However, every shop listed will have copies of the printed brochures on hand, so you can pick one up on your first visit and keep it for reference.

The Palma Ceia area is one of Tampa's oldest, and is home to some of the best shops and restaurants in town – most of which are independently owned.

A visit to the area is a much more interesting and creative option to shopping at the mall, and there is a nice mix of lunch or dinner spots, all within a short drive or walk.

The Red Herring's new location on MacDill Ave..

A peek into the Royal Tea Room.

Blue Moon Trading Co.

An exterior fountain at Spa Jardin and Melt Out.

Another glimpse into the Royal Tea Room.

The Potting Shed.

Mayfair Antiques is a must visit when you're in the area. I'll be featuring a shop tour soon, so that you can see for yourself the exquisite furnishings and accessories.

A little modern flair, a la these gorgeous townhomes.

Casa Nova.

Jennie Smith Interiors.

Beautiful estate homes line scenic Bayshore Boulevard nearby, where hundreds of joggers, cyclists and skaters convene daily to take advantage of the bay views from the "longest contiguous sidewalk in the world."

Horse sculptures frolic across the median. In the background, bleachers are being set up for the upcoming Gasparilla parade.

Right along Bayshore is the best rose garden in Tampa, in my opinion.

Roses are notoriously hard to grow here because of the heat, but this garden always looks wonderful.

Wouldn't you say that this looks more like Atlanta, with the grand colonial house in the background?

The roses are spectacular but the rest of the grounds are beautiful too, and deserving of a magazine spread.

My daughter lives in Palma Ceia and I love to visit her. We have been in a number of these little shops but not all. I will save this posting for my next visit to Tampa. Additionally, I LOVE to walk on Bayshore Boulevard as it is just so lovely. Great place to spot the rays foraging in the shallow water there.

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The Home Tours section is a dream if you’re a bit of a nosy parker, full of fabulous photographs of the insides of stylish abodes. And, never mind the weather, the Shop Tours alone will make you want to live in Florida. Interviews with industry big wigs are consistently engaging, offering an insider’s perspective on the world of design. With envy-inducing photography, an eclectic approach and a great sense of humour, Topsy Turvy has lightness of touch that makes it both fun and inspiring.
furnish.co.uk

Because of your wonderful and interesting reviews, I have recently purchased the following books and magazines: San Francisco Style by Diane D. Saeks; the book Dwellings by Stephen Sills and James Huniford; the latest issue of Town and Country magazine (because of your review on Diane Von Furstenburg) and while in the store, I happened to see Veranda magazine and purchased it. Not only are you a great writer, you make things more interesting. You are also a great saleswoman.
A Reader in North Carolina